Christmas is not the same without caroling. In fact, Filipinos also love to express the joys of Christmas season through songs called caroling. It is an integral part of the Filipino Christmas tradition. “Misa de Gallo” or Dawn Mass, Simbang Gabi often witnesses carolers quick on their feet to sing cheerful and heartfelt Christmas carols form house to house to spread the season’s spirit.
Little children form their own groups and hops from a house to another house singing Christmas songs such as “Silent night”, “Jingle Bells”, Filipino Christmas songs like “Ang Pasko ay Sumapit”, “Pasko na naman”, “Namamasko” and other traditional and modern songs.
The ingenuity of Filipino can also be seen in caroling. Carolers usually have handmade musical instruments like tambourine made out of bottle tops, drums made from cans or biscuit tins. The caroler will be very delighted when you hand them coins as a sing of appreciation. After you do, they will be sure to sing thank you for your generosity, which goes “thank you, thank you, thank you, ang babait ninyo.”
Caroling does not only apply to children, even church organizations, clubs, group of friends get into singing Christmas tunes to raise funds. Some of these groups will give you a letter in advance to inform you the date and time they plan to go into caroling at your house.
Most of these caroling groups carry musical instruments such as guitar, drums and tambourine to make their performance even livelier. These groups dedicate time and effort into practicing the songs weeks in advance. They are most ready to sing from their hearts to spread the joy and warmth of the Yuletide season. Caroling is a tradition kept alive in the spirit of generosity is in the air this Christmas season.
